Electoral Act Amendment: Nigeria Practicing One-Party System — Kwankwasiyya
The Kwankwasiyya Movement has expressed concern over what it called the increasing dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that the recent amendment to the Electoral Act underscores the risks of one-party control in Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Habibu Sale Mohammed, the movement criticised the rapid passage and presidential assent to the amended Electoral Act, despite public protests and warnings from civil society groups and experts.
The group said the development highlights the dangers of unchecked APC dominance across both the Executive and the National Assembly.
It pointed to the defections of elected officials from other parties to the ruling party as further evidence of the trend.
“These defections are not merely political movements; they raise serious moral and constitutional concerns,” the statement read.
“When elected representatives abandon the political platforms on which they were entrusted with the people’s mandate without clear ideological justification or constituency consultation, it amounts to a distortion of democratic representation.”
The movement emphasised that electoral mandates belong to the people, not individual officeholders, and warned that Nigeria’s democracy relies on checks and balances, with a strong opposition and independent legislature playing crucial roles.
It also noted that defections weaken opposition ranks, reduce legislative scrutiny, and make it easier for executive proposals to pass, regardless of public sentiment.
Referring to the Electoral Act amendment, the movement said the ruling party’s success in pushing through its preferred outcome, despite nationwide demonstrations, reinforces perceptions of reduced accountability.
The Kwankwasiyya Movement cautioned that democracy rarely collapses suddenly but erodes gradually when power is concentrated and opposition is weakened.
It urged elected officials to prioritise the people’s interests and called on citizens to remain peaceful but vigilant in defending democratic institutions.
“Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its people. It must not be weakened by convenience, nor compromised by concentration of power,” the statement concluded.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
